Pretty Poison

Director: Noel Black Noel Black

Overview

Easygoing but psychotic Dennis (Anthony Perkins) is released from jail, where he has served a sentence for his complicity in a suspicious death. Wandering through a small, working-class New England town, Dennis befriends apparently normal high school A-student Sue Ann (Tuesday Weld). He fills her head with lies about his imaginary career as a secret agent. She is thrilled, and makes up her mind to join him in his further adventures. This jet-black "who's manipulating who?" seriocomedy was adapted by Lorenzo Semple Jr. from Stephen Geller's novel She Let Him Continue.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/27/2017
UPC:	0024543315711
Original Release:	1968
Rating:	NR
Source:	ALLIED VAUGHN
Language:	English
Time:	1:30:00
Sales rank:	53,467

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Anthony Perkins	Dennis Pitt
Tuesday Weld	Sue Ann Stepanek
Beverly Garland	Mrs. Stepanek
John Randolph	Morton Azenauer
Dick O'Neill	Bud Munsch
Clarice Blackburn	Mrs. Bronson
Joe Bova	Pete
Ken Kercheval	Harry Jackson
Don Fellows	Detective
Parker Fennelly	Night Watchman
Paul Larson	Mrs. Stepanek's Boyfriend
Tim Callahan	Plainclothesman
George Fisher	Burly Man
Bill Sorrells	Cop at Beanery
Dan Morgan	Man at Police Station
Johnny Mandel	Composer

Technical Credits

Lorenzo Semple Jr.

Noel Black	Director,Executive Producer,Producer
Marshal Backlar	Producer,Executive Producer
Lorenzo Semple Jr.	Screenwriter
Lawrence Turman	Executive Producer
Ralph Winigar	Special Effects
Billy King	Special Effects
Dennis L. Maitland	Sound/Sound Designer
David Dockendorf	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

In a lot of 1960s cinema, "trouble" was spelled "Tuesday Weld." Sexy, kittenish, possessed of a voice that purred venom, Weld created one of her most memorable amoral portraits in Pretty Poison, an initially neglected black comedy/thriller that has gained in stature since its initial release. Weld, of course, is blessed with looks that go a long way to explaining why she is able to captivate Anthony Perkins, but there's a fiercely instinctive and intelligent actress manipulating those looks, one who knows just what buttons to push to convey innocence or evil (and sometimes both simultaneously). Her reactions to her murderous activities are chilling -- and yet funny. Perkins is her perfect match; his shy, eager-to-be-manipulated psychopath may have echoes of Norman Bates, but only echoes; Perkins was too good an actor at this stage of his career to waste this opportunity by simply repeating himself. Both actors are helped by Lorenzo Semple Jr.'s darkly ironic screenplay, which provides both meaty characters and a compelling storyline. Pretty Poison's blackness will put off many, but it's a prize for those who treasure riveting performances.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler